Name: Air Fryer Tofu (Extra Crispy, No Pressing Required)
Prep time: 5 min
Cook time: 15 min
Total time: 20 min
Yield: 2 Servings
Cuisine: American
Ingredients: 16 ounces tofu, super firm ideally*; 2 teaspoons toasted sesame oil, or other oil; 0.5 tsp fine sea salt; 0.5 tsp black pepper; 1.5 tablespoons soy sauce; 2 tablespoons cornstarch; other spices as desired*

Air Fryer Tofu (Extra Crispy, No Pressing Required)

Air Fryer Tofu (Extra Crispy, No Pressing Required) cover

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Air Fryer Tofu (Extra Crispy, No Pressing Required)

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Ingredients

Warning0 allergens identified

Air Fryer Tofu (Extra Crispy, No Pressing Required)

16 ounces tofu, super firm ideally*

2 teaspoons toasted sesame oil, or other oil

½ tsp fine sea salt

½ tsp black pepperfreshly cracked, to taste

1 ½ tablespoons soy sauce(or amino acids)

2 tablespoons cornstarch(arrowroot powder also works well)

other spices as desired*optional

Instructions

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Instructions

Pre-heat the air-fryer to 400 degrees F (some air fryers go to 390 and that’s ok too).

Into a large bowl, tear the block of tofu into medium chunks. I aim for chunks about the size of a quarter. You can also cut the tofu into cubes, but I preferring to tear it because it provides lots of jagged edges that get deliciously crispy in the air fryer!

Toss the tofu with the oil, salt, pepper, and soy sauce. Sprinkle on the cornstarch and toss again so that it's fully covered. Place the tofu in your air fryer, being careful not to overcrowd it. You want at least a tiny bit of space in between each piece. Work in batches as needed.

Air fry the tofu for 10 minutes. Toss and air fry for an additional 5-10 minutes, depending on how crispy you want it. I usually do about 15 minutes total.

Serve with you favorite sauce (or on it’s own!) and ENJOY!

Notes

Tofu– I prefer SUPER firm tofu (sometimes called high-protein tofu) in this recipe. I’ve tested it with all different kinds and this is my favorite. It also requires NO pressing which I love it for. Firm or extra firm tofu will also work well, just be sure to press the excess moisture out first.

Other spices – I left this rather plain (but the recipe is still absolutely delicious as written) so that it can be used in a plethora of different ways or with different sauces. BUT, if you’re wanting to enjoy it without a sauce, you can toss on any spices you’d like such as garlic powder, paprika, cumin, etc. Some kind of a spice blend would also be delicious.

Marinating– I have a whole blog post about marinating tofu including SIX different marinade flavors. IF YOU MARINATE IT, I suggest skipping the soy sauce and oil in this recipe as it should be flavorful enough.

Optional addition– I’ve made this recipe before several times by adding in 1-2 tablespoons of nutritional yeast. I love the extra flavor it adds but it’s totally optional!

Storage & Reheating – Store leftover tofu in an airtight container in the fridge for up to 4 days. Reheat in the air fryer for a few minutes to bring back the crispiness.

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Tips & Tricks (5)

Cornstarch is Your Crispy Secret 🌟
Coat tofu cubes with cornstarch instead of flour for an ultra-crispy exterior that rivals deep-fried results—the starch gelatinizes at high heat for maximum crunch.
Skip the Pressing, Use High Heat 🔥
Since moisture removal isn't needed with air frying, simply cut super-firm tofu into cubes and let the 400°F+ temperature rapidly evaporate surface moisture for instant crispiness.
Double-Coat for Extra Crunch 🥡
Toss tofu in your cornstarch-spice mixture, air fry for 5 minutes, shake the basket, then toss with a light oil spray and the coating again before finishing—this creates an irresistibly crunchy crust.
Sesame Oil Goes in at the End ✨
Add toasted sesame oil in the last 2 minutes or as a post-cooking toss to preserve its delicate, nutty flavor—applying it earlier causes it to burn and lose its signature taste.
Don't Overcrowd for Maximum Crispiness 📦
Arrange tofu cubes in a single layer with space between each piece; overcrowding traps steam and creates chewy spots instead of an all-over crispy texture.